New Delhi
Anil Kumble was a strict disciplinarian, both as a player and a coach. The legendary leg-spinner attributed the trait, which earned him the unpopular tag of a ‘headmaster’ later in his illustrious career, to his disciplined upbringing.

Kumble, in a chat with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, talked at length about his childhood learnings that went a long way in shaping his career.

When Nadella asked Kumble about the values he inherited from his parents, Kumble singled out self-belief. “My grandfather was a headmaster in school and I know that term (headmaster) kept coming back to me later in my career. Some (sitting here) will understand what I am talking about,” said Kumble, drawing a gentle laugh from the audience. Kumble, who earned the reputation of a hard taskmaster, quit as India coach citing untenable relationship with India captain Virat Kohl earlier this year. However, India’s leading wicket-taker has maintained silence on the issue, and so has Kohli.

Kumble said the Australia tour in 2003-04, when India managed to draw the four-Test series, was the time when he faced the challenge of reinventing himself. “As a cricketer, you have to hit refresh literally at the end of every series. Challenges from one series to another are different.